A Landmark Day for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Australia will soon commence with the legalized use of psychedelics in controlled clinical settings for patients with treatment-resistant depression (psilocybin) and treatment-resistant post–traumatic stress disorder (MDMA).
To become an Authorised Prescriber, psychiatrists are required to submit an application to a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA’s Authorised Prescriber scheme is the culmination of Mind Medicine Australia’s (MMA) rescheduling applications lodged in March 2022 and our objections to the interim decisions lodged in November 2022.
Australia is the first country in the world to reschedule these mediums
As Australia begins to deliver psychedelic–assisted therapies, MMA is supporting the roll out through a number of programs:
Establishing a register to record treatment outcomes
MMA’s Certificate in Psychedelic–Assisted Therapies (CPAT)
This training was recently described by Professor David Nutt as the “world’s leading CPAT training” on ABC Radio National and features a world class International Faculty.
Training health professionals in psychedelic-assisted therapy
The 2023 intakes begin in July and are fully subscribed. Upon graduating, another 120 clinicians will have successfully completed training in the delivery of psychedelic–assisted therapies.
Clinical Supervision
Supply of Psilocybin and MDMA
Licensed pharmacists holding Schedule 8 permits will be responsible for holding and delivering the medicines around Australia. The supply chain will be tightly controlled at all times in strict accordance with Australian and State/Territory regulatory requirements.
Supporting those who cannot afford treatment
MMA has set up a Patient Support Fund (PSF). The PSF will receive donations from large to small philanthropists, and hopefully, governments around Australia, to support those who cannot afford the full costs of treatment. The NGO welcomes donations. Go to their website.
The initiative is designed to help bridge the funding gap before funds from Health Funds and from the Australian Government’s Medical Benefits Scheme become available to patients in the future.
The economic case for this and the need to reduce human suffering is overwhelming. In addition to the PSF, MMA is advocating with health funds and other potential funding sources to encourage them to begin funding these treatments.
Looking ahead
These programs will support psychiatrists and their teams delivering MDMA and psilocybin-assisted therapies for patients with PTSD and treatment-resistant depression, and patients seeking to benefit from them. They will ensure positive outcomes as Australia leads the way in the delivery of psychedelic–assisted therapies.
Commenting on the way forward for Australia, Professor David Nutt, Head of Neuro-psychopharmacology at Imperial College, said:
“This is a landmark day for the tens of thousands of Australian families who are blighted by depression and PTSD as they will have access to powerful new treatments with unique mechanisms of action. And congratulations to Australia for leading the world in this vital treatment innovation.”
Executive Director of MMA, Tania de Jong AM said: “We are so pleased that some of the immense suffering being experienced in families, communities, and organizations around the
